Assomac, in collaboration with ICE (Foreign Trade Institute) and PISIE (International Institute for Industrial and Economic Development), organised a training course for 17 young Chinese graduates. In September, after three weeks of training in China, the trainees came to Vigevano where they underwent another week of training that was taught by Italian teachers. Several companies, upon request, will subsequently host the trainees.

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in the first eight months of this year was 7.6% lower than in the same period last year. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovakia during the same period was 5.4% higher year-on-year.

Russian veterinary officials say that continuing outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Brazil mean that Russia will not be lifting a ban on imports of Brazilian meat and livestock in the near future, according to the Interfax news agency. The ban was introduced on September 20 this year. Russia is currently free from foot-and-mouth disease. Brazil exported 51,600 tonnes of beef to Russia in the first seven months of this year, accounting for 24% of overall Russian beef imports during the period.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Office of Statistics reports that leather industry production in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first nine months of this year was 3.3% lower as compared with the same period last year. In comparison, total industrial output in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the January to September period was 13.6% higher year-on-year.

Dutch biotechnology company Crucell and Merial, a world-leading animal health company, have entered into a license agreement for the utilisation of Crucell's PER.C6 technology for the development and commercialisation of veterinary vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease.

After the original outbreak of avian influenza, strain H5N2, in Somerset East in South Africa, a quarantine zone was put up within a radius of 30 kms, in an attempt to contain the disease. A new outbreak has been found in Fort Brown, north of Grahamstown,

Despite the unfavourable economic situation and the problems linked to the new markets and the overvaluation of the euro, the world's most prestigious tannery-machine technology and chemical products fair is sending out good signals. At the present time, there are 248 exhibitors (slightly more than there were in 2003), and the net exhibit area has also increased, now covering 1,100 more sq m than it did in the last edition.

The Slovak Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$68 million in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year fall of 20.9%. Slovakia's imports of the same types of commodities were 5% lower year-on-year at US$150 million.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first eight months of this year was 2.2% lower than in the same period last year. In comparison, industrial output in the Czech Republic in the January to August period this year was 10.6% higher year-on-year.

Every winter, Bureau de Style Chaussure Maroquinerie Cuir brings out a trend book for firms in the glove sector well before they begin their collections. The Trend Book for Winter 2005/2006 is a start-up tool, more than ever designed to give impetus to the creative process. They predict trends and fashion moods and give design pointers. Firms are free to take up their suggestions, reinterpret them and design products in their own style.

Every winter, the Bureau de Style Chaussure Maroquinerie Cuir publishes a trend book for firms in the glove sector. The trend book for Winter 2005/2006 is designed to give impetus to the creative process, predicting trends and fashion moods.

Peter Zeng, Satra's China office manager, has taken his first look at the technology centre's facilities and services and declared them 'very impressive'. Peter has been the centre's man at Satra's Dongguan City representative office in Guangdong Province since January, but pressure of workload prevented him visiting the UK until now.

The new BS EN ISO 20344 series of safety footwear standards dominated discussion at the Satra stand during the recent OS+HA occupational safety exhibition in Singapore. Satra believes it is the first European Notified Body to be able to carry out the complete range of revised tests and the centre's experts were kept busy explaining the changes and implications for Far East manufacturers.

Olympia was well received as the home for the new Footwear London show organised by DEW Events recently. Brian Fogg of RP Ellen reported a good show overall with a busy Sunday opening day and despite a slow start on both weekday mornings. 'We saw all the regulars and picked up some new accounts. They like to make a weekend of it in London and we'll definitely show there again. Similarly, Blu Shu said they'd had a very good show particularly for a first show and they'd seen everyone they wanted to see as well as meeting some new customers. 'We hope it will grow and move into one of the bigger halls next time', said Malcolm Williams.

At a recent Stahl training course in Turkey, twelve sales technicians from Bursa, Izmir, Tuzla and Corlu and one member of the administrative staff participated in a specially designed course aimed at promoting teamwork. The course was run by John Andrews from Interbizz who has had plenty of experience working with Stahl and developed sales and marketing courses dedicated to the unique way in which Stahl conduct business within the leather industry. The one-week course encouraged individuals to work together using their skills to support collective achievement. Sales techniques, practical leather finishing and future market strategy were all covered.

Robert Schnebel, Foothills Leather Co (Gloversville, NY), has been elected head of the American leather industry association, the Leather Industries of America, a trade association founded in 1917. He was elected Chairman at LIA's 88th annual meeting held at the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Schnebel will serve a two-year term, which began on October 2, 2004, and will end at the close of LIA's 2006 annual member's meeting.

Alison Tucker was recently promoted to the position of Director of Marketing and Communications at Buckman laboratories.

213 exhibitors from 21 countries were represented at the ILM International Leather Goods Fairs fair in Offenbach from 25-28 September. A total of 5,500 visitors attended the fair, 30% up on last edition. Articles on show included handbags and leather accessories for spring/summer 2005, along with the latest travel and leisure goods.

The GDS International footwear fair, which took place in Düsseldorf from 16 -19 September, received 42,000 visitors, 5% up on last edition. Organisers claimed: 'With this result, GDS defies the difficult retail climate and proves itself to be a positive economic barometer.' Organisers noted a significant increase in the number of visitors from abroad, and more specifically, from eastern and central Europe.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ukraine in the first eight months of this year was 8.6% higher in value terms than in the same period in 2003.

Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister, Miroljub Labus, says that several small shoe factories in the town of Sandzak will soon start manufacturing products for Germany's Metro wholesaler, according to the Serbian government's website. It is understood that these products will be sold at new Metro Cash&Carry outlets that will be opened in Krnjaca, Novi Sad, Nis and Kragujevac.

Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Commission reports that Kyrgyzstan produced 1.25 million square decimetres of 'stiff leather products' in the first eight months of this year, compared with 1.53 million square decimetres in the same period in 2003, according to the Interfax news agency. Kyrgyzstan also produced 3.82 million square decimetres of chrome-tanned leather products in the January to August period, as compared with 3.41 million square decimetres in the same period last year.

Ireland's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in July was 56.6% lower than in the same month last year. The combined turnover of leather industry companies in July was 69.8% lower year-on-year. Ireland imported leather and leather products worth euro5.4 million in the first half of this year, compared with euro4.9 million in the same period last year. Irish exports of the same types of commodities in the January to June period were worth euro11.7 million, as against euro23.6 million the corresponding period in 2003.

The Skrbic leather shoe uppers producer in Teslic in the republic of Srpska has recently invested in new production technology, according to the Serbian Unity Congress. Reports indicate that the investment is a co-operation project with Slovenia's Alpina-Ziri shoe factory.

The Sintuva leather upholstery producer in Lithuania says it recorded sales worth US$1.07 million in the first eight months of this year, compared with US$409,118 in the same period in 2003, according to the LETA news agency.

A business delegation from Kobe in Japan expressed interest in importing leather products from Russia's Khabarovsk region during a visit to Khabarovsk in early September, according to BISNIS, part of the US Department of Commerce, Washington DC. The Japanese delegation also aimed to find Russian business partners during the visit.

Estonia's Statistical Office reports that leather industry production in Estonia in August was 57.2% lower than in the same month last year. In comparison, overall industrial output in Estonia was 6.1% higher year-on-year in the same month.

Representatives of leather industry companies participated in a visit by a business delegation from the Turkish city of Konya to Bulgaria in mid-September, according to the Bulgarian Telegraphic Agency. The aim of the visit was to seek business partners and new customers in Bulgaria.

BLC is now able to offer wear and release testing of nickel according to BSEN 1811 and BSEN 12472. The tests are UKAS accredited to ISO 17025. This new facility is part of a continuous expansion of testing capability in the area of leather and leather product testing at BLC. These tests are critical in ensuring that products which are intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin conform to the European legislative requirement for nickel release. This legislation, which covers all products, is particularly relevant to metallic components in items such as watchstraps and jewellery. BLC nickel testing is available at a competitive rate, with a turn-around-time of less than 10 days.

Growth in most Asian economies is expected to remain strong throughout 2004, but may moderate into 2005 (IMA Asia September forecasts). Key influences on growth in the region continue to include the bird flu outbreaks, strong consumer demand, a slowdown in exports and higher inflation due to increased food costs and higher oil prices.

New Zealand Light Leathers is to make 48 workers redundant in an effort to ensure the company's long-term survival. Managing director Neil Dickson blamed the decision on changing fashion trends, an unfavourable exchange rate and aggressive competition from the Far East over the past five years. Light Leather also plans to significantly reduce production of lambskin and concentrate on deerskin and other raw material streams. Dickson said lamb leather had not been fashionable and retail conditions in the United States, Light Leather's main market, had been depressed for a while.

The Ministry of Industry approved the HaNoi Shoe Company's plan to set up a factory in the north Vietnamese province of Hung Yen. The factory will cover 58,700 sq m in the Khoai Chau district, cost VND65.3 billion (US$4 million), and produce 2 million pairs of shoes per year. Operations will begin in 2005.

Another outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been reported in Brazil this week, located on an island on the Amazon in the eastern region of the state of Amazonas.

770 companies from all over the world will take part in Modacalzado and Iberpiel Marroquineria as part of the 15th International Leather week in Madrid. Companies from Germany, Belgium, France, India, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and the United Kingdom will come together to exhibit their spring/summer 2005 collections at the fairs, which will run from September 24-26th at the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre. The fairs, which are the largest showcase in Spain for footwear and accessories, attract exhibitors from across the industry, encompassing leather goods, the auxiliary industry and luxury brands. To coincide with the fair, the 5th edition of 'Madrid Lives Fashion' will stage a range of events such as the 'Dressed to make history: 1860-2004' photography exhibition, which documents the last century of Spanish history through women's fashion.

The Egyptian government is to receive €521,990 from the European Union to help improve the environmental performance of its tanneries. The money, from the EU's LIFE Third Countries programme, will be paid to the Egyptian Ministry of Industry and Technological Development. It will mainly be spent on creating and operating two pilot plants to demonstrate good practice to tanners.

DuPont have reached a settlement in their PFOA lawsuit brought in 2001 by residents in the vicinity of the company's Washington Works plant in West Virginia.

The BLC Keynote Seminar entitled 'A cleaner, greener future for the leather industry' will be rescheduled for January 2005 at a date and venue to be advised. To maximise the dissemination of the information and benefits of the European supported MOND gasification project, a partnership between AIICA, BLC, ELKEDE and Rovesta, BLC has negotiated an extension to the project.

With effect from September 1, the Italian companies CHIMES and Neochimica Italiana have merged to form a new company called Letex SpA. The purpose of the merger is to rationalise the production line, reduce costs and increase flexibility in order to become more competitive on both national and international markets. The new company is able to cover the entire range of chemical products for the tannery industry and has a research and development department exclusively devoted to these products. The technical and sales assistance has also been improved.

The GDS Footwear Fair will take place at the Fairground, Dusseldorf from September 16-19, 2004. This year 1,649 exhibitors from 53 nations will participate, confirming GDS as the sector's foremost trade fair. The largest showcase on footwear fashion will include events, shows and seminars to guide professionals through the new season. GDS will focus on the new 2005 spring/summer collections and encompass all styles, from handmade Oxfords from Mexico, designer stilettos from Brazil and sporty styles from Australia; laid out in three sections: Modern, Young and Global sources; for easy navigation around the fairground. The event reflects the global panorama of shoe fashion with 89% of visitors coming from outside Germany.

The All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), China International Footwear Fair (CIFF) and Moda Shanghai 2004 were heralded a resounding success by organisers, with visitor numbers up 20% on last year. The events, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, attracted 14,980 visitors from 78 countries.

Clariant's Business unit leather has launched its new shade card illustrating the latest fashion for the forthcoming autumn-winter season 2005-2006.

Introduction

Abstract

Author

Solid waste - the issues

According to statistical data for the year 2003, in China there are 18,000 leather business enterprises with a total of more than two million employees. These include 7,200 shoe factories with an annual production of 5.2 billion pairs shoes (including rubber and fabric); 1,700 leather garment factories with an annual production of 80 million pieces; 2,500 tanneries with a total annual leather production of 4,493 million sq ft and accounting for 39 million pieces of cattle hides, 60 million ovines and 90 million pig skins. The total output value of the leather industry amounts to some US$25 billon.

In the UAE, for many years there has existed a veritable leather-making desert. Old established tanning companies became extinct because of a failure to embrace the modern attitude to industry and commerce that had been established towards the end of the last century. During that time, utilisation of hides in the country reached an all time low. Lost too, was the old link with the Bedouin past where every facet of, particularly, the camel was utilised. Camel leather artefacts are to be seen in museums and heritage centres all around the region, but there are no longer any companies in existence in the country producing leather.

As the American tanning industry closed the book for 2003, ever the optimist, the US tanner looked forward to new challenges, opportunities and plain hard work, despite the loss of much of his traditional domestic customer base.

The numbers of cattle killed in June and July remained very low, resulting in a scarcity of hides and this caused prices to firm in July. Tanners in the UK reported that interest from their customers was best described as being muted and that business could be done, but only at a price.

In the four-week period ended July 30, federally inspected slaughter amounted to 2,439,000 head, down from 2,922,000 a year earlier.

Recent Chinese statistics show sudden enormous increases in imports of hides and leather. However, one should not forget that because of the ongoing 'customs authorities' charges on tax evasion', this could mean that there has been a rise in the number of imports being officially declared.

The price rally in the American steer market described in our last issue fizzled out as quickly as it came. Since then, a few selections weakened while others strengthened but, in general, prices were about as steady as they ever get.

Türkiye has built up a solid reputation of excellence in leather finishing and dyeing. The majority of chemical firms, local or global, were working for the doubleface sector, for wool-on or off sheep/lambskins. Now that chemical companies outnumber tanneries in Türkiye by about five-to-one, major changes are required. One veteran company well positioned to take up new challenges are Verbo.

Twenty one years ago, as part of the old HND course, I was standing in L6 of the National Leathersellers' Centre giving my first lecture - about veininess, its causes and possible solutions.

Two new Synektans designed to give tight, fine grain structures have been introduced to Stahl's range of wet-end products. Both have a wide range of applications.

We apologise unreservedly to Quimica Central de Mexico for attributing their innovative new fatliquors to another company in our July issue. Fatliquors for white and pastel leathers, Quicemol ST1 and 3100, are manufactured by Quimica Central and we are sorry for any confusion we may have caused.

Sarugan W 928 M is an aqueous, dull polymer dispersion and a high viscous liquid. It produces a dull, medium-soft film. Sarugan W 928 M exhibits a pleasant, soft and dry handle. Due to the high dulling degree, the product produces very dull surfaces and avoids any grey break after milling.

Clariant's Business unit leather is constantly coming up with new finishing ideas. After having recently presented their innovative range of oils and waxes, Clariant's product finishing unit has now come up with a new generation of fashionable pull-up effects on pigmented leather, the so-called Aladin Effect.

New developments in leather finishes traditionally depended on chemicals, rolling, or embossing techniques, but Motifsan Baski San ve Ticaret Ltd Sirketi in Istanbul are taking full advantage of the newest developments using laser technology on leather.

Tom Ulliot, managing director, is leaving Holmes Halls, Hull, to pursue his other business and leisure activities. His position has been taken over by Charles Barker who joined them on July 5 following the closure of Barkers. Ulliot sold his interest in the company some three years ago and the tannery, which now produces wet-blue only, is owned 30% by John Woodwood of Bradford Hide and Skins; 30% by Paddy Byrne; plus two undisclosed partners with 20% each.

Satra assistant director Peter Perkins is celebrating 40 'satisfying and challenging' years with the UK technology centre. He joined Satra as a laboratory

Michael Frank Johnston died in hospital on July 19, 2004, just three hours short of his 67th birthday. He was a very popular past president of the International Council of Hides Skins & Leather Traders Associations and, for many years, continued to run the family business founded by his father, Frank Johnston & Sons.

Before I start this Limeblast, I'd like to let you all know that I surfed the Internet and went shopping on-line for a pair of classic Timberland boat shoes. Buying a pair of these shoes in the US costs US$90 per pair, whereas buying an identical pair of shoes in Italy costs e121 or US$149. In other words, in Europe, you pay 65% more for the same pair of shoes. Further words are superfluous and the point made in the July Limeblast has been proven I think.

We have read with interest, in the June edition of Leather International, your detailed coverage of ICHSLTA's annual general meeting in Hong Kong this year. However, we would like to further enlighten you as to the current situation within our association following the change of president and the retirement of the current director general.

Teseo SpA have dissolved a partnership formed a year ago with a local Turkish machinery importer, Prestij Makina. The Fermo-based manufacturer of leather and sole cutting machinery and software systems found their market perceptions and expectations incompatible with their Turkish partner.

This October 26-29, Tanning Tech in Bologna will expand to occupy pavilions 31 and 32 which have been vacated by Lineapelle. Tanning Tech will still be found in their usual halls 33, 34 and 35 but the new space will allow the organisers to reduce the crowding in pavilion 34 and increase the floor area for the various exhibitors.

On July 14, 2004, Stahl Holdings bv acquired control over the Spanish Group Pielcolor which includes all the shares of Pielcolor SA and Desarrollo y Control Logístico SL and the majority stake of Picassian SL. Stahl are one of the world's leading suppliers of leather processing products and have a strong position in other selected market niches.

Cengiz Sinallar is a Turkish retanner of wet-blue and crust leather for shoe uppers and leather accessories, sourced exclusively in third world countries. He pays cash to suppliers on a monthly basis, and believes that Türkiye has many advantages.

At their meeting on July 16, the board of management of Bayer AG decided that the Lanxess unit, currently operating as a Bayer sub-group, should be spun off to the company's stockholders. The board also decided that the unit should be listed separately on the stock exchange at the beginning of 2005.

Following five years of profitability, International Leathers (NI) Ltd, the last remaining garment leather tannery in the UK, have faced extremely challenging market conditions in 2004. Demand has been weak from all major markets and the company have suffered from the weakness of the US dollar, resulting in significant losses being incurred.

The 3rd Freiberg Collagen Symposium will take place from September 23-24, 2004.

After falling off for decades, Türkiye's animal population is roughly half of what it was 20 years ago. So, it is cause for celebration that sheep numbers increased, albeit marginally, between 2002 and 2003 to 27 million.

The CTC Group recorded an increase in turnover for the fifth year running. Growth of 8% in 2003 has resulted in the group's turnover doubling over the past five years. Thanks to CTC's increased activity in the international market, the sales figures have become, for the first time, greater than the group's collective finances. In fact, the sales figures have allowed the group to re-balance a deficit in their finances and have allowed the group to spend more on research, the true reason for the CTC's existence.

A hundred years ago, Messrs Kerr, Teas, Levi, Alsop, Reed et al were sitting in a St Louis hotel holding the first ALCA convention. At the time, the ALCA had 19 active members and nine associates. According to the JALCA, most of the early conventions discussed the by-laws of the fledgling society and the standardisation of commercial methods. However, there were papers read, such as 'A method for the detection and estimation of soluble leather in tanyard liquors' and the 'Curiosities of cutch' (a weed), which apparently was causing trouble for Kent fishermen drying their nets!

The Union Budget presented by the finance minister P Chidambaram has not been greeted with enthusiasm by the leather sector. 'There is no indication of any thrust for the export sector, particularly on income tax relief, despite repeated appeals of the entire exporting community', said the chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, S S Kumar.

While Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce has extended facilities to the leather industry, on the other hand, the Ministry of Finance is cutting their export rebates. The duty drawback on finished leather, including goat or sheep or kangaroo, reduces from 1.72% of the fob value to 0.75%; cow or buffalo or camel hide, 3.09% to 2.88% of the fob value and duty drawback on the export of buffalo hide in finished form for furniture or upholstery leather (2.5mm up to 5mm) has been reduced from 4.92% to 4.55%.

The leather industry in Pakistan has shown positive signs during 2003-2004 (end June, 2004) and total exports were of $723 million which exceeded the target of US$715 million fixed by the government for this year. Fawad Ijaz Khan, chairman, Pakistan Leather Garments Manufactures and Exporters Association said this is the highest during the past ten years and 4% more than last year ($695 million).

Pakistan's Trade Policy for 2004-05 (ending June 05), which aims to achieve a $13.7 billion export target, provides incentives to the leather industry. It is designed to meet WTO challenges by reducing the cost of doing business as well as by enhancing the capacity of producers to compete on a sustainable basis in the international market.

A plan to create another ostrich industry association - this one representing the major farmers - has been shelved in favour of working more closely with the SA Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC). Mooted by Saag Jonker, whose Saag Jonker Holdings is the biggest local farmer with close on 4,000 breeding birds, the Ostrich Slaughterers' Association would have aimed to represent the 200-odd farmers who supply most of the adult birds to abattoirs, with the principal aim of securing farmers a greater say in pricing.

Zimbabwe footwear and leather products manufacturer, Midiron Enterprises have signed a US$20 million deal with Superior Leather Private Ltd, South Africa, to enable them to increase their export drive. Superior will take the bulk of Midiron's products for distribution to their already-established regional markets in Angola, Namibia, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia and South Africa.

From October 6-9, 2004, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia will host Meet in Africa at the Centre of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that leather industry production in the Slovak Republic in the first seven months of this year was 7.4% lower than in the same period in 2003. In comparison, industrial output in Slovakia in the January to July period was 5.1% higher year-on-year.

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that the Slovak Republic imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$126 million in the first half of this year, a year-on-year fall of 4.5%. Slovakian exports of the same types of commodities were 17.4% lower year-on-year at US$60.3 million.

An entrepreneur in the Serbian village of Malosista has started processing African ostrich skin supplied by a local farm into leather, according to the Serbian Unity Congress.

New European standards for safety footwear became effective from September 1 and SATRA has moved swiftly to implement them. The new BS EN ISO 20344 series of standards replaces the BS EN344 series which has now been withdrawn. BS EN ISO 20344 details the test methods for the new standards. BS EN ISO 20345 lays down the performance requirements for safety footwear. BS EN ISO 20346 lists requirements for protective footwear. BS EN ISO 20347 covers requirements for occupational footwear.

Statistics New Zealand reports that New Zealand exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth NZ$543 million (US$352 million) in the twelve months to the end of July, a year-on-year fall of 12.3%.

International Leather Days (ILD) will play host to leather industry manufacturers and buyers from all over the world. The fair will take place at the Tuyap Beylikduzu conference centre, Istanbul, from December 10-12, and plays an important part in the integration of the Turkish leather industry into the international market. The date of the show has been brought forward to December this year to take advantage of the lull in production in Turkish tanneries and workshops after the end of the Russian fur season. The organisers hope that this change in dates will encourage tanners to become more involved in fashion and help them develop new products.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported leather and leather products worth US$172 million in the first half of this year, a year-on-year fall of 2%. Hungarian exports of the same types of commodities were 12% lower year-on-year at US$50 million.

Romania's National Statistics Institute reports that the number of cattle on farms in Romania as of July 31 this year was 5.1% higher than on the same date in 2003.

Recent weeks have seen frenetic activity, especially across Asia, where trade associations and individual companies have rushed to seize space at the debut edition of Europe's first event for competitively priced footwear and leathergoods. Michael Duck, director of APLF Ltd explains: 'Brussels is an opportunity that many have been waiting for: Direct access to the world's biggest single market, at a strategic location, right at the peak of the buying season - unthinkable before Fashion First. A wealth of industry leaders and trendsetters are making Brussels their launch pad into Europe. The highlights span from pavilions for Chinese regions like Zhejiang, to groups for footwear and leathergoods from Belgium, China, France, India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey; from a showcase of Pakistani leather garments to Brazilian footwear. This truly cosmopolitan offering has already attracted many established exporters to Europe as well, like Pinnacle Overseas, Manovin International, Kente Design, Pacific Alliance, Vista International Corp, Himex, Meric Footwear, Ekster and Rusty Lopez, to name a few. There is also considerable interest from European distributors: Chauss'Europ and M&M Footwear have already confirmed their space requirements and even European manufacturers like Blue Star have joined. Now that the holidays in Europe are drawing to an end, we expect to be able to make further announcements very shortly.'

Sixteen SATRA members around the world have now gained the technology centre's Cutting Award; twice as many as six months ago. It was introduced last year to enable manufacturers to demonstrate to their markets that they have achieved a consistent SATRA approved standard of leather management

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first seven months of this year was 2.1% lower than in the same period last year. In comparison, industrial output in the Czech Republic in the January to July period this year was 10.8% higher year-on-year.

Figures from the Czech Statistical Office show that the Czech Republic produced 114,952 handbags last year, compared with 135,472 in 2002 and 506,619 back in 1994, according to the CTK news agency's Business News.

Despite steady demand from the automotive sector, German leather production fell by approximately 5% to 16million sq m last year. The downward trend continued through the first half of 2004, with weaknesses in the domestic market and increased competition in export markets being attributed to the strength of the euro. 65% of finished leathers went to the automotive and furniture industries, 25% to the footwear industry and the remaining 10% to the leathergoods and garment sectors.

Bayer made significant operating gains in the second quarter of 2004, posting substantial year-on-year growth in both sales and operating result (EBIT). EBIT before special items increased by 44.1% to €660 million (2003: €458 million), while sales climbed 4.5% to €7.6 billion (€7.3 billion). When adjusted for currency and portfolio effects, sales grew by 7.9%.

At the recent ACLE press conference, the vice president of the China Leather Industry Association, Madam Zhang Shu Hua, informed of a continued growth in the industry in 2003. 'Statistics show that leather industry enterprises have reached a total value of RMB210.3billion (USD25.4billion), an increase of 20.9% on last year. The total value of imports and exports reached USD26.4billion, of which the export value was USD 23.2billion, an increase of 19% on last year. The import and export value of China's leather and leather goods also experienced a steady growth. The export value reached USD9.35billion, an increase of 14% on the same period of last year. Fur garments saw the most dramatic increase in export value, reaching USD178million, up 176% on last year. The export value of leather was up 19.0% to USD660million, and leather garments rose 3.0% to USD830million. The export value of leather shoes was USD2.86billion, up 13% on last year, and the import value in the first half year was USD3.48billion, 24% higher than last year.'